Beyond Endurance: An Epic of Whitehall and the South Atlantic

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Beyond Endurance: An Epic of Whitehall and the South Atlantic Page 29

by Nicholas Barker


  Icebergs

  as navigational hazards, 15, 59

  as source of fresh water, 12–13

  survey of tabular, 15, 51–52, 110

  Illustrious, HMS, 225

  India, Endurance sold for scrap in, 243–44

  Invincible, HMS, 68, 69, 218

  Iris, CS, 204

  Irizar, ARA, 104, 105–06, 110

  Irving, Rear Admiral Sir Edmund, 109

  Ives, Lt Cmdr David, Endurance

  hydrographer, 32, 214

  Jackson, Captain, QE2, 205

  James Caird survey launch, 219

  James Ross Island, xiv, 56, 57

  James Turd replacement survey launch, 219

  Jenkins, Simon, editor of Times, 239–40

  Jenny Island, 130

  John Biscoe (BAS ship), 47, 73, 74, 135, 152

  Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), 25, 123

  Franks’ criticism of, 127, 233–34

  indifference of, 126–27, 128

  Joint Services Expedition, aboard

  Endurance, 101–02, 130–31, 132

  Katabatic winds, S. Georgia, 101–02, 103

  Kelly, Ned, Attenborough team, 54, 88

  Kelp, economic potential of, 14, 241

  Kerr, Admiral Sir John, 65, 75, 238

  King George Island, scientific bases at, 110–11

  Kodak Gap, Le Maire Channel, 60

  Krill, 52

  potential exploitation of, 13–14, 241

  Kristianson, Monica, Scott Institute explorer, 10, 53, 54, 110

  La Nacion, Argentine newspaper, 152

  La Prensa, Argentine newspaper, 76, 123, 153

  Lacerda, Carlos, Deputy Governor of Madeira, 40–41

  Lamb, Ronnie, Falklands police, 136

  Lamidozo, Brigadier, member of Junta, 77, 78

  Langley, Bob, Pebble Mill presenter, 55, 58, 90

  ‘Langley South’ film, 61, 90

  Larsen Creek, Endurance hides in, 172

  Laws, Dr Richard, Director of BAS, 10

  Le Clarin, Argentine newspaper, 76, 152, 153

  Leach, Admiral Sir Henry, First Sea

  Lord, 3, 21, 70–71, 75, 239, 240

  relations with John Nott, 89–90

  Leach, Sgt Peter, RM, 169

  Leith, S. Georgia

  Buen Suceso at, 133–35

  Davidoff’s landing at, 104–06

  Endurance visit to, 103–04

  recapture and surrender of, 193–96, 195, 203

  Le Maire Channel, 60, 130

  Lever of Manchester, Lord, 231, 232

  Lewin, Admiral Lord, 71, 238

  Lombardo, Admiral, Argentine Fleet Commander, 96, 97, 127, 128

  Lord, Captain James, 38

  Love, Colonel, Military Attache[‘],

  Buenos Aires, 112, 127–28

  Luce, Richard, FCO, 100, 126, 140, 236

  Luxton, Bill, Cap Chartres, 163–64

  Lycaon, MV, 206

  Lyell Glacier, S. Georgia, BAS team on, 172, 198

  Madeira, 40–41, 91–92

  Mahoney, Bob, cameraman, 128–29, 174

  Mar del Plata, 144

  Endurance visits to, 62, 117–18

  Marine Biological Association,

  Plymouth, 101

  Martin, Steve, S. Georgia base

  commander, 134, 135, 139–40, 154–55, 167

  Maynard, Hugh, Attenborough team, 54

  Medway see Chatham

  Mendes, Dr Costa

  Argentine Foreign Minister, 108, 127, 150, 151, 240

  Bout de Papier delivered, 123, 124

  Merton Passage, S. Georgia, 156–58, 192

  Meteor, German research ship, 60–61

  Middlebrook, Martin, Fight for the Malvinas, 97

  Mills, Lt Keith, RM, 139, 154–55, 165–69

  Mineral resources, 12

  hydrocarbons (oil), 12, 16, 80, 241

  potential exploitation of, 16–17, 83

  Mines, on S. Georgia, 193, 194, 196

  Ministry of Defence see MOD

  Mitchell, Julian, British Embassy, 95

  MOD

  and evictions from Leith, 137–41

  final sale of Endurance, 243–44

  intelligence from, 185–86, 187, 203

  NB’s annoyance with, 228–29

  preference for frigate over

  Endurance, 66, 73, 74, 75

  and proposed US presence, 151–52

  view of strategic importance of Falklands, 18–19, 27, 68

  see also Joint Intelligence Committee; Royal Navy

  Montevideo, Uruguay, 47, 94–95, 107, 110

  ‘More British than the British’ film, 61

  Morgan, Carol, Pebble Mill team, 55

  Morris, Lord, 109

  Mottistone, Lord, 74

  Nadin, Leading Airman Bob, 102, 190

  Nairne, Sir Patrick, 231

  Napier, Sgt, RM, 211

  NATO, and defence policy, 20–21

  Naval Task Force, global role of, 5–6, 69, 70, 71

  Neave, Ben, Naval Attaché, Buenos Aires, 44–45, 144–45

  Nelson Island, 113

  New York, British-Argentine talks in, 100, 108, 125–26

  Nicholls, Nigel, MOD, 66, 71

  Norland, MV, 204, 205

  North, Tony, BAS staff, 173

  Northwood see MOD

  Norway, Antarctic sector, 16

  Nott, John, Defence Secretary

  criticisms of, 70, 232–33, 234, 235

  defence cuts, 3, 4, 20–23, 69–70, 75, 89–90

  and Mrs Thatcher’s contingency plans, 127

  pressure on, 67, 86, 93–94, 98, 107

  view of Naval Task Force rôle, 68–69, 71

  Nunn, Captain Chris, RM, 107, 191–92, 200, 202

  Nunn, Lt Richard, RM, 207

  O’Connell, Lt David, MCD Officer, 203

  Ogden, Eric, MP, 87, 99, 109

  Oil see Mineral resources

  Olmeda, RFA tanker, 210, 212

  Operation Condor (1966), 25

  Orheim, Olaf, glaciologist, 54

  Outhwhaite, Captain Brian, 66–67

  Owen, David, MP, 234

  Palliser, Sir Michael, Head of FCO, 99, 236

  Parker, Jim, letter to Times, 109

  Parliament, 67, 230–32

  House of Lords debate, 73–74

  Parry, Chris, helicopter observer, 188–89

  Parsons, Sir Anthony, Ambassador to UN, 159, 160

  Pebble Mill documentary crew, 55, 56, 58

  ‘South Atlantic’ series, 58–59, 98

  support for Endurance, 88, 90

  Penguin News, The, 99

  Penguins, 13, 50, 63

  Pentreath, Captain David, Plymouth, 193–94, 196

  Perkins, Roger, Operation Paraquat, 76–78, 153–55, 156–58

  Permanent Negotiating Commission, 123, 125–26

  Peron, General, 22

  Peron, Isabelita, 76

  Peters, Cpl, RM, 168

  Picton Island, 113

  Piedra Buena, Argentine destroyer, 152

  Piloto Pardo Chilean polar ship, 115, 116

  Plant, Miles, BAS staff, 173

  Plymouth, HMS, frigate, 175, 177, 185, 186, 200

  helicopters from, 190

  recapture of S. Georgia, 192–94

  Poland, Antarctic base, 32, 110–11

  Polar Circle, MV, replacement for Endurance, 243

  Ponsonby, Commander Francis, 2, 117, 120, 154, 170

  Port Stanley, Endurance at, 46, 218

  Power, Michael, MOD, 66, 71–72, 73, 108

  Prat, Captain Arturo, Chilean Navy, 130

  Price, Annie, 102, 103, 130, 131–32, 152

  concern for safety of, 173, 175, 179, 198

  Punta Arenas, Chile, 116

  Punta Mendanos, Argentine Navy tanker, 2, 3, 145, 149, 160

  QE2, RMS, 204–05

  Radio hams, 2, 135, 161

  RAF, 107, 210

  Ranken, Commander Michael, 24
2–43

  Redmond, Captain, Tidespring, 198

  Rees, Merlyn, MP, 231, 232

  Reffell, Admiral Sir Derek, 68, 75, 94

  strained relations with NB, 65–66, 218–19, 220, 237–38

  Regent, RFA tanker, 210, 212, 214, 218

  Richards, Colonel ‘Brum’, 180

  Ridley, Nicholas, FCO, 26–27, 97–98, 99

  Rio de Janeiro, 41–42, 92–94

  Ros, Enrico, Argentine delegate, 126

  Ross Glacier, 102

  Rothera Base, 63, 120, 129–30

  Round the World Yacht Race, 96, 112–13, 117

  Rowe, Rear Admiral Patrick, 71

  Royal Bay, helicopter accident at, 101–04

  Royal Marines, 42 Commando, M

  Company, 177, 186, 191–92, 196–97, 200

  relief of Southern Thule, 209, 210–12

  Royal Marines (Endurance’s detachment), 31, 63, 192–93, 209

  Royal Marines (Falklands 8901 Naval Party), 31, 54–55, 65, 82, 83

  invasion and surrender, 158, 164–65

  Royal Marines (from Endurance) on S.

  Georgia, 2, 134, 154, 158

  preparations for defence of, 165–68

  returned to Endurance, 204

  surrender, 168–69, 176

  Royal Navy, 20–21, 29, 175–76

  documentary film crew, 117, 128–29, 174, 177

  Rucco, Jesus Iglesias, journalist, 123

  Russia

  Antarctic survey base, 32, 85, 110–12

  interest in proceedings, 152, 184

  Russo, Captain, Argentine Navy, 113–14

  Salvageman, MT, North Sea tug, 202, 206

  and relief of Southern Thule, 209–10, 212

  and salvage of Santa Fe, 215–17

  Salvesson salvage company, 105, 106, 137

  Sanderson, Damian, BAS staff, 172

  Santa Fe, Argentine submarine, 186, 188–91, 197–98

  removal of, 197–98

  salvage of, 214–17

  Santiago del Estero, Argentine submarine, 203

  Santissima Trinidad, Argentine ship, 152

  SAS and SBS troops, for S. Georgia, 177, 178, 179, 180–84, 191

  Saxonia, MV, 206

  Scientific projects see British Antarctic Survey; Scott Polar Institute

  Scott, Chief Petty Officer, 179

  Scott, Bob, Chatham porter, 90–91

  Scott, Sir Peter, letter to Times, 109

  Scott Polar Institute (Cambridge), iceberg survey team, 32, 48, 51–53, 110–11

  Scottish Eagle, MV, 212, 214

  Seals, 13, 61

  Seymour Island, Argentine Antarctic base, 60

  Shackleton, Lord, 38–39, 228, 233

  Falklands reports (1976 and 1992), 13, 15, 18, 19–20, 26

  member of SWAG, 58, 242–43

  support for Endurance, 3, 71, 73–74, 81, 90, 109

  Shackleton, Sir Ernest, xiv, 10, 11, 48, 58, 105

  Shackleton (research ship), Argentine attack (1976), 25, 29

  Shersby, Michael, MP, 66–67, 87, 99, 109

  Sheffield, HMS, destroyer, 186, 200, 206

  Sheridan, Major Guy, RM, 178, 180, 184, 193

  Signy, South Orkneys, BAS base, 53, 165

  Smith, John, Pebble Mill producer, 10, 55, 58

  Snaith, Lt, Endurance hydrographer, 32

  South Africa, relations with, 96, 112

  South Atlantic

  economic potential of, 9, 64

  importance of British military presence in, 64, 80–81, 82–83

  magic of, 6–7, 9–10

  navigation charts for, 15, 31–32

  proposal for visiting frigate, 66, 73, 74, 75

  see also Antarctic

  South Atlantic Treaty Organization, proposed, 85

  South Georgia, 48–49, 85, 102–05

  Argentine invasion of, 165–69

  Argentinian aircraft overflights, 133, 184, 185, 186, 187, 205

  Endurance confronts Bahia Paraiso off, 140, 142–43, 145, 148–55

  recapture of, 191–99

  special forces landings on, 179, 180–83, 184

  troop transfers off, 204–05

  weather conditions, 101–02, 103, 180, 181–83, 214, 216

  see also Grytviken; Leith; Santa Fe submarine

  South Orkney Islands, 53–54

  South Sandwich Islands, 13, 49, 52, 85

  see also Southern Thule

  South West Atlantic Group (SWAG), 10, 58, 87, 90, 242

  Southampton, HMS, 37

  Southern Thule

  Argentine base on, 51, 67, 85, 197, 211–12

  Argentine occupation of (1977), 25, 49–50

  relief of, 208–12, [B]213[b]

  Spectator, The, editorial, 232–33

  Speed, Keith, Minister for Navy, 21, 70, 143

  Squid fishing industry, 14, 15

  Squire, Dr Vernon, Scott Institute, 110

  Stanley, Lt Cmdr Ian, helicopter pilot, 181, 182, 183, 189

  Stark, Peter, BAS staff, 152, 173, 179

  Staveley, Admiral Sir William, 68, 239

  Stena Seaspread, MV, 202

  Stephens, W., xv

  Stewart, Iain and Hulda, 134

  Stockwell, Captain Alan, Salvageman, 202

  Stromness, whaling station, 105

  Stromness, RFA, 204, 205–06

  Styki, Russian tug, 152

  Submarines, Argentine, 144, 152, 171, 185–86, 188, 203

  Salta, 204

  Santa Fe, 186, 188–91, 197–98

  Santiago del Estero, 203

  Submarines, Royal Navy

  Conqueror, 186, 188, 200–201

  as deterrent, 234–35

  Sunday Mirror, 150

  Sunday Telegraph, 149–50

  Sunday Times, 150

  Sunderland, Endurance visits to, 40, 90

  Swithinbank, Charles, BAS, 10

  Thatcher, Margaret, 3–4, 26, 69, 125, 199, 228, 236

  announces Franks Enquiry (8 July), 230–32

  contingency plans, 127, 235

  correspondence with Lord Buxton, 79–84

  Thompson, Dr Mike, of BAS, 57

  Thome, Major General David, 219

  Tidd, Mike, Wessex pilot, 182

  Tidespring, RFA tanker, 175, 185, 186, 200

  helicopters on, 180–81, 182

  and recapture of S. Georgia, 191, 196–97

  Times, The, 140

  letters to, 90, 93, 98, 109, 242

  Tippey, John, Naval film team, 117, 128, 136, 174

  Todhunter, Lt, Endurance hydrographer, 32, 164

  Tourism, 15–16

  Trefgarne, Lord, 74

  Trombetta, Commodore Cesar,

  Argentine Group Commander, 2, 95–96, 110, 143, 154

  and landings at Leith, 104–06

  NB suggests talking with, 148–49

  Typhoon, MOD tug, 215

  United Nations, 22, 23, 24, 25–26

  United States

  Antarctic survey base, 16, 18, 32, 59

  Galtieri’s contacts in, 77

  intelligence reports from, 152, 235

  intervention proposed, 151–52

  Ure, John, FCO, 29, 68, 99, 223, 236

  on Argentine intentions, 97–98

  Uruguay, 95, 144

  see also Montevideo

  Ushuaia, Argentina, 113–14

  Venables, Stephen, 10

  Videla, General George, head of Junta, 25, 76

  Viola, General, head of Junta, 76–77, 123

  Watkinson, Lord, 231

  Wells, Lt David, RN, 169, 189–90

  Wettern, Desmond, Daily Telegraph, 237

  Whaling, 13, 48

  Wheatley, Captain Anthony, Naval attache[‘], Brazil, 41, 93

  White, ‘Knocker’, RN diver, 217

  Whitty, Peter, 105–06, 133, 139

  Wild, Commander Frank, with Ernest Shackleton, xiv, xv

  Wilkinson Sword of Peace, for Endurance, 222–23

  Williams, A
nthony, British

  Ambassador to Argentina, 28–29, 43, 44–45, 117, 124

  complacency of, 106, 145, 146–47, 148, 163

  further career of, 222, 223

  influence in FCO, 93, 99, 151

  and Mendes, 109, 150

  NB’s view of, 95, 144–45

  Williams, Rear Admiral Charles, 117

  Wills, Lt Cmdr Brian, 164, 204–05

  Wilson, Harold, MP, 24

  Wimpey Seahorse, MV, 206, 212

  Woodard, Rob, 209

  Woodfield, Captain Thomas, 109, 243

  Woodhouse, CPO Ginger, 196

  Woodward, Rear Admiral J.F. (Sandy), 40, 178, 199, 208, 239

  Wyatt, Woodrow, 150

  Yarmouth, HMS, frigate, 210, 211, 212

  YBF (Argentine oil company), 18

  Yorkshireman, MT, North Sea tug, 202, 206, 212, 217

  Young, Captain Brian

  Antrim, 178, 182, 184, 185, 186

  and problem of Argentine submarine, 187–88

  and recapture of S. Georgia, 193

  Yu, Mr, dhobi man, 176

  Zaratiegui, Admiral, Argentine Navy, 96, 113, 114

  Zavodovski island, 50

 

 

 


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